Twilight Concerts at Santa Monica Pier

On Thursday summer nights, Santa Monica Pier plays host to a series of Twilight Concerts. They have a variety of musicians perform and you get to enjoy the concert from the pier or bring a blanket and listen to the music on the beach below all for free.

If you're in the area, they also have a place you can park your bike. Otherwise, I opted to Uber over. They've also got a lot of vendors there with fun photobooths and games, as well as food for sale.

Some of their night's are also themed. The night we went was "Australia Rocks the Pier" theme. We were able to get as close as possible to the stage and enjoyed Ben Browning of Cut Copy's performance which included Sid the koala character that came on-stage (actually my favorite part).

They have their calendar of performers on their website here, including tonight's! (Spoiler alert: tonight Sister Nancy is playing — it's reggae night.)

Bonus: Santa Monica Pier is a prime location, because it's a beautiful setting for just walking around, and you can explore Pacific Park, take a ride on the ferris wheel for $5 or go across the street and play at Tongva Park (my favorite park in Los Angeles).

Most beautiful sunset. My favorite part of the sunset is actually when the sun is already completely set and sometimes brings in the most saturated colors.

Lots of people gathered on the sand below the pier — stretching out to the ocean.

Pacific Park is right there. You might as well explore that too.

Dancing koala = best part.

We actually got as close as we could — there was a barrier in front of us that allowed some open space for the cameras and some of the "VIP" to mill around in.

Our walk back through Tongva Park. So beautiful even at night. Reminds me of the park in Seattle —Artists at Play. Dont' miss out on the part of the park that looks like they stuck an oversized plumber into the ground. Your bum will fit perfectly and it will spin you around and make you dizzy like nothing else.